34 



lected to illustrate the Natural History of the State of Vermont, 

 this arrangement could not be thoroughly carried out. If, how- 

 ever the Legislature should deem it expedient to assign the ad- 

 joining room on the east, and order an opening to be made so as 

 to unite the two rooms, there would be ample space to carry out 

 the plan I have suggested, and thus exhibit in a convenient man- 

 ner the various specimens of scientific and economical interest 

 with which Vermont, more than any other State in the Union 

 abounds. 



I would, in this connection, remark that many prominent citi- 

 zens of our State have shown their willingness and desire to pro- 

 mote the success of this undertaking by making voluntary contri- 

 butions to the State collection, and others have expressed a de- 

 termination to do so, now that suitable cases are prepared for the 

 reception and exhibition of specimens. 



To such as propose furnishing specimens of marble, slate, stea- 

 tite, &c., for exhibition in the State collection, I would respect- 

 fully suggest that it is desirable, in all cases when practicable, 

 to have the specimens about three inches square, or three inches 

 wide and six to nine inches in length, and not to exceed one inch 

 in thickness ; and with the polished specimens it is desirable to 

 have furnished one or more samples in the rough, as free from 

 hammer marks as possible. 



With each specimen there should be given the locality, name of 

 the quarry, the owners name and that of the donor, that the same 

 may be placed upon a label attached to the specimen. 



I have been greatly encouraged while prosecuting my labors at 

 Burlington and Montpelier, to receive evidences from day to day 

 that the public interest in this matter of developing the resources of 

 the State by means of the Geological Survey, has not in the least 

 abated by reason of the unforeseen obstacles and calamities which 

 have surrounded its progress. I have reason also to acknowl- 

 edge my indebtedness to the learned Professor Hall, of Albany, 

 N. Y., for his labor in determining the genera and species of the 

 various fossils found in the Champlain system of rocks, and I 

 would, before drawing this tedious report to a close, return my 

 thanks to you for the commission with which you have honored 

 me, and I tender my grateful acknowledgements to all from whom 



